Albert Sidney White Jr., Ex-york County Sheriff

POQUOSON — Albert "Sid" Sidney White, former York County Sheriff, died Sunday, July 11. He was 71.

A man who dedicated over 37 years to law enforcement, Mr. White retired in 1984 as York County Sheriff.

Law enforcement has a long tradition in the White family.

At the age of 24, Mr. White became the youngest sheriff in York County and the state of Virginia when he was selected to serve as sheriff of York County and Poquoson to fill the unexpired term of Henry Charles. Mr. Charles had died only eight days after being selected to fill the unexpired term of Mr. White's father. Eventually, Poquoson evolved into a city with its own police department which was headed by Sid's son, Jack White.

FOR THE RECORD - Published correction ran Tuesday, July 13, 1993.The obituary of Albert S. White Jr. in Monday's Local section omitted the name of his daughter, Rose Hunt. The complete obituary is on B3.

Jack remembers his father as "a plain, simple man who didn't like a high profile. He loved to hunt and had bird dogs. He raised his children in a religous setting."

Serving as sheriff since 1946, he ran successfully for re-election every four years until his retirement. During his last term of office he was the longest serving sheriff in office in the state.

During his years of service he received numerous awards for his commitment and service to the citizens of York County and Poquoson, as is evident in a statement made in an interview in 1971.

"I have tried to build a department devoted to serve not only the law enforcement needs of the people, but also to render service in any way that we can, whatever that need may be."

Mr. White was civic minded and extremely active in the Poquoson Lions Club. He served as president, zone chairman and deputy district governor during his years associated with the organization. In 1953 he received the Extension Award for outstanding assistance in organizing the York Lions Club and was a member of American Legion Post 273.

A devoted member of Tabernacle United Methodist Church, he taught the Men's Bible Class, served on the Board of Stewards as Lay Leader and was a Trustee and member of the District Location and Building Committee. He served on the board of the Peninsula Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and met the Virginia High School League requirement so he could referee and officiate high school and junior college football. In 1991 he was elected as an honorary member of the Board of Directors of the American Automobile Association.

A lifelong resident of Poquoson, he was a World War II Army Veteran serving in the Armed Forces Corps of Engineers.

He is survived by his wife, Rosanna Hunt White; two sons, Jack White of Poquoson and Albert S. White III of Poquoson; and a granddaughter, Jane Garrett White of Poquoson.

Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. tonight at Tabernacle United Methodist Church and at other times at 801 Poquoson Avenue. A funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church by the Rev. Stephen W. Burgess. Burial will be in Peninsula Memorial Park, Newport News.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tabernacle United Methodist Church Organ Fund, 831 Poquoson Avenue 23662 or to the Poquoson Rescue Squad Ambulance Fund, 1035 Poquoson Avenue 23662.